ECONOMY

The 'Alchemists' Who Control The Purse Strings Of The Economy

3:03pm April 08, 2013

In a new book, Washington Post economics writer Neil Irwin looks at an elite group of policymakers from around the world who manage the money supply, and explains how money can come from — and disappear into — thin air based on the decisions of these influential men and women.

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Economy

Honda's Growth Helps Tow Ohio Out Of Recession

6:04pm April 05, 2013

by Steve Brown - Host

Honda is moving its North American headquarters from California to Ohio. That's just the latest bit of good news for the Buckeye State and Honda, whose fortunes have been closely tied for decades now.

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Construction Jobs Take A Hit In March After A Fall Boost

6:04pm April 05, 2013

The latest employment numbers showed far fewer jobs were created in March than in February, disappointing those who had hoped robust growth from the winter months would hold into spring. The news overshadowed an effort from the White House to reach out to Republicans on the tax-and-spend front. The president said he would trim the growth in retirement programs if the GOP would accept some higher taxes. NPR's Scott Horsley talks to Robert Siegel about how the two issues are related.

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The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels soar over the Florida Keys during a March 23 air show. The group has canceled several air shows in April and May, reportedly owing to budget cuts.

Sequester Scorecard: A Month Later, Effects Still Up In Air

10:09am April 05, 2013

by NPR Staff

Automatic federal budget cuts that kicked in March 1 have had little initial impact in many parts of the government. In a few programs, however, the effect has been real and painful as the government has begun cutting $85 billion from its spending through the end of September.

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A decal advertising E85 ethanol is displayed on a pump at a gas station in Johnston, Iowa.

EPA's Push For More Ethanol Could Be Too Little, Too Late

8:50am April 05, 2013

by Tracy Samilton

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency could soon issue a final ruling that aims to force oil companies to replace E10, gasoline mixed with 10 percent ethanol, with E15. This move could come just as widespread support for ethanol, which is made from corn, appears to be eroding.

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Economy

H-1B Visa Applications As An Economic Indicator

8:19am April 03, 2013

by Zoe Chace

The demand from American companies for highly skilled immigrants seems to be up this year. And that could mean something is about to change for the overall economy.

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Economy

Budget Cuts Silence Some Air Traffic Control Towers

5:31am April 02, 2013

David Greene talks to Yvette Aehle, director of the Southwest Georgia Regional Airport, about her plans to shut down the airport's air traffic control tower. Because of sequestration, the FAA will no longer pay for air traffic controllers at 144 smaller airports.

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German Anti-Euro Group Has Big-Name Backers

10:34am March 30, 2013

by Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson

In Germany, a new political party has cropped up with one sole aim: doing away with the euro. Unlike past anti-euro parties in Europe, this one is no fringe group. NPR's Soraya Sarhaddi Nelson reports they are banking on German frustration over bailouts of eurozone countries to propel them into office in national elections this fall.

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Home Depot is hiring 80,000 employees for its spring season. As the housing market picks up, other industry sectors — like gardening, construction and furniture — move upward, too.

Economy

As Housing Industry Builds Up, Other Sectors Follow

11:31pm March 29, 2013

by Yuki Noguchi

The housing recovery is well on its way, economists say, and Americans are becoming more comfortable spending on things like remodeling, moving, gardening and furniture. One economist expects increased housing wealth to boost consumer spending by $100 billion this year.

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Economy

IMF: Gas Prices Don't Reflect True Costs

9:18am March 28, 2013

The IMF says that price of gasoline in the U.S. covers the cost of producing and distribution gasoline but it doesn't reflect the costs that gasoline consumption imposes on society — in the form of traffic, congestion, pollution and global warming. Linda Wertheimer talks to David Wessel, economics editor of The Wall Street Journal, about a new IMF report on energy subsidies.

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